Etihad Sounds Alert Over Fuel Switches on Boeing 787s, Begins Fleet Wide Checks

Etihad Airways has quietly launched inspections of its Etihad Boeing 787 fuel system after internal checks flagged inconsistent behavior in the cockpit mechanism. In a bulletin shared with pilots this week, the airline advised crews to be extra cautious while operating the switches, which control engine fuel flow during flight and shutdown procedures.

The advisory, confirmed by two operations insiders, comes after multiple engineers flagged unusual mechanical feedback during post-flight inspections over the last several weeks.

“The switches weren’t failing — but they didn’t feel right either,” said a ground technician familiar with the issue. “There was stiffness in a few, and one or two weren’t locking in place as expected.”

These fuel switches, positioned above the pilots’ heads in the Dreamliner cockpit, are used during engine shutdown and emergency cutoffs. Any unexpected friction, looseness, or delay could lead to procedural errors — especially in situations requiring swift, precise action.

Although no flight safety incidents have occurred, Etihad’s technical team reportedly didn’t want to wait for a formal advisory from Boeing or regulators. The airline, according to sources, opted to launch its own full inspection drive across all Boeing 787s in its fleet.

Etihad Boeing 787 Fuel Switch Checks Cause No Service Disruptions

So far, the checks are being carried out behind the scenes — mainly during overnight layovers and scheduled maintenance windows. There have been no changes to the flight schedule, and the airline has not publicly addressed the inspections.

One senior official at Etihad’s engineering hangar, who requested anonymity as they are not authorized to speak to media, explained the situation plainly:

“This is just us doing our job. We spotted something early, and we’re fixing it before it becomes a problem.”

Boeing Made Aware — No Global Alert Yet

Boeing has been notified, according to internal sources, but has not issued any fleet-wide service bulletin. This suggests the issue may be limited to Etihad’s own fleet, or to switches from a specific batch or supplier.

A spokesperson from the UAE’s aviation authority declined to comment on the matter but noted that voluntary technical inspections like these are common among top-tier airlines.

Etihad Boeing 787 Fuel System Checks Go Unnoticed by Passengers

For travelers flying Etihad’s Dreamliners this week, everything will appear normal. The airline is expected to finish its round of inspections within days, using existing maintenance staff and without pulling jets out of service.

“It’s not a crisis. It’s good old-fashioned caution,” said the technician. “That’s how you stay ahead in this business.”

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